TOKYO — Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish ended months of speculation Thursday by saying he intends to make a move to American major-league baseball.
The 25-year-old right-hander, considered the best pitcher in the Japanese professional leagues, wrote on his blog he had decided to use the posting system, which allows MLB teams to bid for the negotiating rights to Japanese players who have yet to become free agents.
Darvish, the son of an Iranian father and a Japanese mother, went 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA this season for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. He had 276 strikeouts to lead the Pacific League.
MLB clubs can submit sealed bids through Wednesday for the right to negotiate with Darvish. If the Fighters accept the highest bid, the MLB club that placed that bid will have 30 days to finalize a contract with the player. If no deal is reached, Darvish returns to the Fighters for another season.
Loney arrested for DUI
LOS ANGELES — Authorities are awaiting the results of a blood test on Dodgers first baseman James Loney, who was arrested last month on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
California Highway Patrol spokesman Leland Tang said Loney was arrested Nov. 14 after his 2009 Maserati hit three cars on a freeway.
Tang said Loney’s car sideswiped the vehicles before stopping in the freeway’s fast lane in the San Fernando Valley. Loney apparently passed out, then awakened and tried to leave, Tang said. He was arrested and given a blood test.
• A bankruptcy judge in Wilmington, Del., said he would overrule an objection by Fox Sports and approve a process for the Dodgers to sell the media rights to future games as part of the team’s plan to exit bankruptcy. The plan calls for the Dodgers to receive initial bids by Jan. 13 and complete the sale by April 30.
Gonzalez joins Brewers
MILWAUKEE — The Brewers and free-agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez agreed to terms on a one-year contract.
Gonzalez, 34, played 149 games for the Braves last season, hitting .241 with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Luhnow named Astros GM
DALLAS — The Astros hired Jeff Luhnow as their new general manager, hoping he can help rebuild a team that finished with the worst record (56-106) in the major leagues.
Luhnow, 45, takes over for Ed Wade, fired along with team president Tal Smith last month in the first major changes by new owner Jim Crane. Luhnow had been a vice president with the Cardinals since 2003.
Footnotes.
The Phillies signed outfielder Laynce Nix to a two-year contract. Nix batted .250 with a career-high 16 home runs and 44 RBIs for the Nationals last season.
• The Rangers acquired minor-league infielder Greg Miclat from the Orioles to complete a trade that sent catcher Taylor Teagarden to Baltimore.
Denver Post wire services
